Ryan Garcia is looking to start a new chapter in his career.
A popular figure in boxing, Garcia experienced a difficult period in 2024. Leading up to his match with Devin Haney in April, he was involved in several incidents that raised concerns about his mental well-being. These incidents included missing weight for the Haney fight and drinking beer during their final face-off. Despite these issues, Garcia surprisingly defeated Haney, but the victory was later changed to a no-contest after he tested positive for a banned substance.
Garcia was suspended for a year due to the positive drug test. He is now returning to the ring on May 2 to face Rolly Romero in New York City’s Times Square. At a press conference for the “Fatal Fury” event, Garcia stated that he will avoid any controversial behavior this time.
“I want to achieve greatness,” Garcia stated. “My goal has always been to compete against the best boxers. I have faced personal challenges, and I want to demonstrate that anyone can recover from setbacks. I am committed to boxing and being a true professional. I acknowledge my mistakes regarding my behavior before the previous fight, and I don’t want anyone to think that drinking and smoking is acceptable for professionals. I am here to change perceptions. This fight is about earning back respect and proving my previous win was not a matter of luck. I am prepared to do just that.”
Devin Haney, Garcia’s rival, will also be fighting on the same event against Jose Ramirez. Both fighters have indicated that if they both win, a rematch of their previous fight will be scheduled later in the year.
